Priory Dental Centre

On this page

• Overview
• Learning culture
• Safe systems, pathways and transitions
• Safeguarding
• Involving people to manage risks
• Safe environments
• Safe and effective staffing
• Infection prevention and control
• Medicines optimisation

We found this practice was providing safe care in line with the relevant regulations and had taken into consideration appropriate guidance.

Find out what we look at when we assess this area in our information about our new Single assessment framework.

The judgement for Learning culture is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.

The judgement for Safe systems, pathways and transitions is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.

The judgement for Safeguarding is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.

The judgement for Involving people to manage risks is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.

The practice identified and managed risks effectively and staff described the processes. This included sharps safety, sepsis awareness and lone working.

Staff demonstrated an open culture in relation to people’s safety. They felt confident that risks were well managed at the practice, and this was reflected in our findings.

Staff could access emergency equipment and medicines that were checked in line with national guidance. They knew how to respond to a medical emergency and had completed training in emergency resuscitation and basic life support every year.

Hazardous substances were clearly labelled and mostly stored safely. Some cleaning products were moved to a more secure location during this inspection.

We saw satisfactory records of servicing and validation of equipment in line with manufacturer’s instructions.

The practice had arrangements in place to ensure the safety of the X-ray equipment; however, there was scope for improvement in the oversight and timely completion of actions identified following testing. The critical examination and acceptance test of the Orthopantomogram (OPG) machine identified actions requiring attention, which the provider was in the process of addressing at the time of the inspection. The required radiation protection information was available and accessible to staff.

The practice had some systems in place to manage fire safety. Fire exits were clear and additional signage was purchased to ensure they were well signposted. Fire safety equipment in place was checked and serviced in accordance with legislation.

The practice had completed an internal fire risk assessment which was reviewed annually. To ensure compliance with fire safety legislation, the provider scheduled an external professional to conduct a fire risk assessment at the practice in August 2026.

The practice had systems for appropriate and safe management of medicines. NHS prescription pads were kept securely, and a log was in place to monitor and track their use.

The practice had a recruitment policy and procedures that reflected relevant legislation, to help them employ suitable staff.

The practice ensured clinical staff were qualified, registered with the General Dental Council and had appropriate professional indemnity cover.

Newly appointed staff had an appropriate role specific structured induction.

Staff had the skills, knowledge and experience to carry out their roles. They told us that there were enough staff on duty at all times. They demonstrated knowledge of safeguarding and were aware of how safeguarding information could be accessed. Staff knew how to escalate safeguarding concerns within the practice and externally.

The practice ensured staff training, including continuing professional development, was up-to-date and reviewed at the required intervals.

There were effective processes to support and develop staff with additional roles and responsibilities. Staff discussed their learning needs, general wellbeing and aims for future professional development during practice team meetings and ongoing informal discussions. Nursing and reception staff received an annual appraisal of their performance. Appraisals were scheduled for all other clinicians in August 2026.

Staff felt respected, supported and valued, and they were proud to work in the practice. We were told, “I feel respected, valued and supported by all my colleagues, manager and the owners of the practice,” and “I feel respected by both colleagues and management. My work is appreciated, and I receive support whenever needed.”

The practice had infection control procedures that reflected published guidance.

We observed some areas that were difficult to clean, contained visible dust. Some areas such as floor seals, worksurfaces and the seals between cabinetry and walls required work to ensure effective cleaning could take place. These improvements were scheduled to be completed by 26 July 2026.

Staff received appropriate training and demonstrated knowledge and awareness of infection prevention and control processes.

Staff used personal protective equipment and decontaminated dental instruments after use, in line with national guidance. However, some pouched instruments observed during the inspection contained visible debris. The provider gave assurances that a practice meeting would be convened and systems implemented to establish a clear audit trail. This would enable the practice to identify and address any deficiencies in the cleaning process, ensure staff accountability, and provide additional training where instruments had not been cleaned to the required standard. We saw, and staff confirmed that single-use items were not reprocessed.

The practice had effective procedures to reduce the risk of Legionella, or other bacteria, developing in water systems, in line with a risk assessment and current guidance.

The practice had protocols to ensure safe segregation and disposal of hazardous waste.

Weekly and fortnightly cleaning schedules were available and although the practice was cleaned daily, there was no log or sign in sheet to demonstrate this. A comprehensive set of cleaning schedules were implemented following this inspection as well as an environmental cleanliness checklist/audit tool to review standards of cleanliness at the practice.

Cleaning schedules in place for the treatment rooms were recorded on a wipe clean notice. At the end of each week the schedules were erased in preparation for completion the following week. Consequently, the practice did not retain records to demonstrate cleaning previously completed. An aide memoire was developed and we were told that staff would be requested to sign to demonstrate completion of the required cleaning task which would be retained going forward.

Equipment was maintained and serviced in line with manufacturers’ instructions.

The practice completed infection prevention and control audits in line with current guidance.

The judgement for Medicines optimisation is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Safe key question.